Toilet Device

ABSTRACT

A hygienic device for adding a sanitary and cleansing material to the water in the cistern, comprises a body with water flowing therethrough and with a fitting for connecting to a water supply on one side thereof and to a toilet cistern on the other side thereof. The device further includes a material storing reservoir and a valve for controlling the rate of flow of the material into the water flow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims priority from, patent application No. GB 0720635.2 filed by the present applicants in Great Britain on 23 Oct. 2007 and entitled “Toilet Device”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

There was no federally sponsored research or development in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hygienic device for the toilet, and more specifically to a device for adding a sanitary and cleansing material to the water in the cistern.

At present, the toilet is flushed with ordinary water. For hygienic purposes, it may be desirable to add a suitable material to the water.

A prior art device consists of a solid block immersed in the water. It may be difficult to control the rate of use and efficiency of such a device.

It may not be desirable to place devices in the toilet bowl, as they may become dirty in the process, and thus counter-productive to the goal of providing a clean, sterile environment.

With prior art devices, the water flow in itself may be insufficient to clean the toilet.

A new device, even improved, may be difficult to adapt if it requires the replacement of all the presently used toilet water system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a new hygienic device for the toilet includes means for automatically adding a sanitary and cleansing material to the water in the cistern.

The new device may be beneficially used to achieve a hygienic and clean toilet.

No foreign device is inserted into the cistern or toilet bowl—the only addition is the new device which is installed between the water supply line and the cistern.

The installation process is simple—just to attach two pipes.

Moreover, valve control means may be used to control the rate of use of the sanitary material.

A venturi is used to more efficiently mix the material with the flowing water. The quantity of additive is thus adapted to the rate of flow of water: for a faster rate of water flow, the rate of flow of the additive is commensurately increased.

A modular design of the device allows to add it to any cistern of an existing toilet.

Optionally, a low pressure version of the device may be installed after the supply valve in the cistern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device for inserting an additive into the toilet water

FIG. 2 details a side view of the device for adding to the water

FIG. 3 details a top view of another embodiment of the device

FIG. 4 details a side view of another embodiment of the device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device for inserting an additive into the toilet water in the cistern 8.

The device includes a body 6 with water flowing therethrough and with fitting 7 means for connecting to a water supply on one side thereof and fitting 5 means to a toilet cistern 8 on the other side thereof.

The device further includes a reservoir 1 for a sanitary additive, such as a special material for the sterilisation and cleaning of the toilet.

In one embodiment, the reservoir 1 has no top cover, rather it is open to the ambient air. This makes it easier to check the level of additive in the reservoir 1 and add more material as is necessary.

To prevent water from entering into the reservoir 1, there is a unidirectional flow valve 4, which only allows the passage of material downwards into the water flow.

When water flows, there is a vacuum or a decrease in pressure in the water, which causes the valve 4 to open and material to flow down and mix with the water.

In another embodiment, reservoir 1 has a cover (not shown) and an air opening for ventilation and to prevent a vacuum as material flows down to mix with the water flow.

In a preferred embodiment, a liquid material is used in reservoir 1.

A control valve 2 controls the amount of additive in the water, allowing the user to set the level of additive/sanitary material in the water.

Thus, the new hygienic device for the toilet includes means for adding a sanitary and cleansing material to the water in the cistern. The new device may be used to achieve a hygienic and clean toilet.

The device also has inlet and outlet couplings 3, an inlet fitting 7 to a water source and a fitting 5 to the cistern 8.

Using these fittings, the new device can be added to any cistern of an existing toilet, to achieve a modular design, easy to install device.

A venturi body 6 includes the venturi.

FIG. 2 details a side view of the device for adding to the water.

The sanitary/cleaning material is stored in the reservoir 1.

The control valve 2 controls the rate of flow of material into the water. The unidirectional flow valve 4 allows to control the concentration of sanitary/cleaning material in the water.

There are an inlet 10 for water supply and an outlet 11 to toilet water cistern.

The venturi body 6 has a venturi narrowing 9 which creates a low pressure, allowing the mixing of water with the additive from reservoir 1.

FIG. 3 details a top view of another embodiment of the device. This low pressure version of the device may be installed after the supply valve 82 in the cistern 8.

In this embodiment, the connection of the inlet from water supply 17 is left unchanged, to supply water to the valve 82 in the cistern 8.

The low pressure water outlet 18 connects the output of the supply valve 82 to the additive mixing device 25, which may be implemented with the device illustrated in FIG. 2 for example.

The pipe 19 transfers the water with additive to the interior volume of the cistern 8, to be used in the toilet.

FIG. 4 details a side view of another embodiment of the device, wherein the control valve 2 is located in another place, as illustrated—in the venturi pipe. In this embodiment, by changing the intensity of the vacuum in the venturi, the concentration of the mixture (the amount of additive used) may be controlled.

A possible advantage of this embodiment is that, since the control valve 2 is kept further apart from the additive material, the possibility of its becoming clogged is reduced.

Another feature of this embodiment is the flow indicator 12, comprising a transparent part (a glass hemisphere for example) so devised as to allow the passage or flow of the mixture (liquid and additive) therethrough, thus allowing a user to view the mixture flow in real time.

The flow indicator 12 may provide information regarding the flow of the liquid and the concentration of additive therein.

In another embodiment, the flow indicator 12 may comprise a transparent ring (not shown) on the pipe, so devised that the liquid passes therethrough.

It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of an apparatus and method within the scope of the present invention and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore. 

1. A hygienic device for adding a sanitary and cleansing material to the water in the cistern, comprising a body with water flowing therethrough and with fitting means for connecting to a water supply on one side thereof and to a toilet cistern on the other side thereof, a material storing reservoir, and valve means for controlling the rate of flow of the material into the water flow.
 2. The hygienic device according to claim 1, further including an unidirectional valve between the reservoir and the flowing water, for allowing the passage of material in one direction and preventing the passage of water in the other direction.
 3. The hygienic device according to claim 1, wherein the material is a liquid.
 4. The hygienic device according to claim 1, further including a venturi in the water flow for creating a vacuum or lower pressure which allows the material to flow into the flowing water.
 5. The hygienic device according to claim 1, wherein the material in the reservoir has sterilisation and cleaning capabilities.
 6. The hygienic device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir has a ventilation opening therein.
 7. The hygienic device according to claim 1, further including a flow indicator comprising a transparent part so devised as to allow the flow of a mixture (water and additive material) therethrough, thus allowing a user to view the flow of the liquid and the concentration of additive therein.
 8. A hygienic device for adding a sanitary and cleansing material to the water in the cistern, comprising a body with water flowing therethrough and with fitting means for connecting to the output of a supply valve in the cistern on one side thereof and to the interior volume of the cistern on the other side thereof, a material storing reservoir, and valve means for controlling the rate of flow of the material into the water flow.
 9. The hygienic device according to claim 8, further including an unidirectional valve between the reservoir and the flowing water, for allowing the passage of material in one direction and preventing the passage of water in the other direction.
 10. The hygienic device according to claim 8, wherein the material is a liquid.
 11. The hygienic device according to claim 8, further including a venturi in the water flow for creating a vacuum or lower pressure which allows the material to flow into the flowing water.
 12. The hygienic device according to claim 8, wherein the material in the reservoir has sterilisation and cleaning capabilities.
 13. The hygienic device according to claim 8, wherein the reservoir has a ventilation opening therein.
 14. The hygienic device according to claim 8, further including a flow indicator comprising a transparent part so devised as to allow the flow of a mixture (water and additive material) therethrough, thus allowing a user to view the flow of the liquid and the concentration of additive therein. 